Babin, a former Lafourche employee and insurance investigator, will receive an annual salary of about $63,000, plus benefits.

“I do understand all the challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with the council,” Babin said.

Babin worked for 11 months as a parish compliance officer, negotiating rights of way and overseeing maintenance work.

He resigned in November, citing “personal reasons.”

Babin previously worked for State Farm as an investigator. During his seven-year stint, he was promoted to claims-section manager, overseeing all south Louisiana property and casualty losses and 90 employees.

The public-works job has been vacant since Sept. 8, when Parish President Charlotte Randolph fired Ronald Robichaux over “philosophical differences.”

She made no nominations for more than 60 days, prompting some councilmen to allege the delay violated the parish’s Home Rule Charter. District Attorney Cam Morvant said there was no violation because there were no qualified applicants.